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Be Bold When Doing Clutter Control

Wednesday, June 15th, 2011 by admin

“Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang best.”—Henry van Dyke

I have women write and tell me that they struggle with clutter control and they get discouraged. This thought is for you.

Just because clutter control doesn’t come naturally or you don’t enjoy doing it—if this is one of your goals then just keep on keeping on.

Life happens and sometimes it is harder than at other times, but as we keep doing it does become easier—this I promise.

Posted in Clutter Control, Sage Advice | 5 Comments »

Gurgle, Slosh, Oh No! Getting Organized Can Help

Monday, November 8th, 2010 by admin

Here is a tip I read that is very timely if you are traveling for the holidays or going to be away from your home for the weekend. If you have read my blog in the past few days you know that’s what I am doing—traveling. Read on to discover how being organized can help prevent accidents.

This actually happened to a friend of mine; when they got home from a 2 week vacation water was pouring all over their hardwood floor on the main level of their home and the ceiling had collapsed.

Washing machine hose failure is one of the biggest causes of household water damage. Property destruction by water exceeds that of fire.

Here are some things you can do to get organized and prevent this from happening to you:

1. Turn off the water to the hose when you leave for an extended period of time.

2. Make sure your machine’s existing water hoses are sturdy—the best are the braided type.

3. Replace the hose about every six or seven years.

4. A plumber can install an automatic shutoff valve. This might be pricey.

Have you ever replaced your hoses? Do you turn off the water to your washing machine when you are gone for an extended period?

Posted in Laundry Room, Sage Advice | 2 Comments »

A Penny? Nickel? Clutter Control To The Rescue?

Monday, October 25th, 2010 by admin

Identity Theft can be avoided with Clutter Control. My brother called me for my birthday last week and was telling me he was the victim of identify fraud and he has no idea how they got his banking information. Here is some great information from Kiplinger’s Personal Finance.

“If you see a small, curious amount on your credit card you can’t identify, call your card issuer right away. There’s a strong likelihood it’s a “test” by a credit thief to learn if your card is good. If the micro charge goes through uncaught, it could be the prelude to a spending binge on your card or the theft of your financial identity”.

Identify theft makes me so mad. Do everything you can to prevent fraud! If you have a handle on clutter control it will easier for you to know what is going on and hopefully easier to prevent it.

Posted in Office/Paper Work, Sage Advice | 4 Comments »

Clearing Clutter Isn’t About Stuff–Or Is It?

Friday, October 8th, 2010 by admin

What does organizing do for you? It relieves stress—the stress of looking for things when we are in a hurry or even when we’re not in a hurry. I know when I can’t find something it makes me cross. It irks me when I am asked, “Where did you have it last”. If I knew that then I wouldn’t be searching for it would I?

Because we live busy lives it is even more important to clear clutter. The less clutter we have the better we feel about our self and the less stress we have.—don’tchathink?

When clearing clutter don’t focus on the stuff—focus on what you want that room or that space to look like. The stuff takes care of itself when your shift your focus. You’ll be able to find places for it or you will be able to let it go.

What is your favorite technique for clearing clutter?

Posted in Clearing Clutter, Sage Advice | 2 Comments »

Spontaneous Glitch Puts Clutter Control On Hold

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010 by admin

Excitement reigned! I was told my web site was good to go and I could post pictures again. Then we found a glitch and we couldn’t post them. I thought this is just how it is with clutter control sometimes.

We have a plan and we know just what we are going to do to reduce clutter and then something unexpected happens and we have a setback even though our intentions were good.

Just like Scarlett from Gone With The Wind would say, “Tomorrow Is Another Day”. After unexpected life events we can get back to clutter control another day. And eventually we will be back to posting here on my website.

What unexpected events keep you from clutter control and how do you overcome them?
Clutter Control with Professional Organizer Marilyn Bohn

Posted in Clutter Control, Sage Advice | 3 Comments »

Amazing Mother's Organizing Clutter Secret's

Thursday, May 27th, 2010 by admin

Organizing clutter with professional organizer Marilyn Bohn Are you pulled here and there with the demands of family and friends? I was organizing with a client and we were organizing clutter like mad. She got a phone call. It was her child at school who had forgotten his homework and was asking her to bring it to him. Very calmly she explained that she was working with me and would not be able to leave. (I bet that child remembers the next time to take his homework to school).

On the same day she got a call from another child saying she was sick. Again the mother calmly explained that she was busy and could not run to school and get her. She gave her several suggestions of what she could do which included asking the nurse if she could lie down on the cot in the sick room until she could come for her. She was a very savvy woman organizing her time instead of letting others organize it for her.

When we started working that day she said her goal of organizing her clutter and working with me was a gift she gave to herself. If she had let others pull her away; her goal wouldn’t have been reached.

What do you do when you are organizing clutter and others want your time?

Organizing clutter with professional organizer Marilyn Bohn

Posted in Children, Organizing Clutter, Sage Advice | 2 Comments »

Successful Ways To Protect Your Identity

Thursday, April 8th, 2010 by admin

Getting rid of clutter with professional organizer Marilyn Bohn Is it a beautiful day where you are? It is beautiful here. I am glad Spring is here (well officially anyway). It just keeps teasing us but we know that soon we’ll be saying Summer is right around the corner.

As promised we’re still learning things about how to prevent identity theft. (And in so doing I have learned how to spell identity)—I always put a‘d’ in towards the end instead of the last ‘t’. Was that too much information?

Back on track:

Social Security Number:

•Do not carry your social security card in your wallet. Memorize the number and keep the card in a safe place.
•If you think your social security number has been compromised, contact the social security administration fraud line at 800-269-0271.

PINs:

•Do NOT write your Pin on the back of the card or on anything else in your wallet.
•Use different PINs for each debit and credit card.
•It has been suggested to change PIN numbers every 6 months. It is a little bit of a hassle because you have to go into your financial institution but these PIN numbers are gold.
•Do not use easily available information, like your birth date, phone number or part of your social security number for PINS.

Next week we’ll get back to getting rid of clutter, but for now I hope you’ve found this information useful. Make your credit cards and checks as secure as you can. We don’t want to work for those dirty rotten crooks!

Getting rid of clutter with professional organizer Marilyn Bohn

Posted in Getting Rid of Clutter, Sage Advice | 1 Comment »

Finally Friday Review–Fire Extinguisher

Friday, October 9th, 2009 by admin

Getting rid of clutter for safety Because we are talking about fire prevention and gettting rid of clutter for safety reasons I think it is appropriate to review this fire extinguisher we have in our home.

This one is made by Kidde and…

•It has an easy to pull safety pin.
•Easy-to-read gauge tells that the extinguisher is charged and ready for use.
•It has a handle that is rust and impact resistant.
•It is seamless, corrosion resistant aluminum cylinder guaranteed against pressure loss for 6 years.
•On the cylinder is quick, clear directions for easy use.
•It has clear descriptions: UL Rated for use on “Class A
wood, paper and cloth fires. Will also fight “Class B” flammable liquid and “Class C” electrical fires.
•It is backed by the world’s leading fire extinguisher company.

So far we have been lucky that we haven’t had to use it, but it looks like an excellent product in case of a fire.

Do you have a fire extinguisher and do you know how to use it? What features did you look for when you selected an extinguisher? Do you think cost matters in how well it will work? Can you find yours or is it just clutter around the house?

Getting rid of clutter for safety

Posted in Sage Advice | 1 Comment »

Forget Clutter–Read "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peal Pie Society"

Thursday, June 4th, 2009 by admin

clutter control for your home and office Are you having a day that you just aren’t accomplishing very much and you set your goal to get rid of clutter in your home? So you’re doing little of nothing and feeling guilty while doing it?

I say, just take the day off and don’t think about clutter. Instead get a good book and read it. When I went to Hawaii I took with me the book “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peal Pie Society” by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. The only bad thing was it was such a good novel I finished it way too soon.

This book is a wonderful uplifting and poignant read. It is told through letters—don’t let that put you off it really is a wonderful little book. I was on the waiting list at my library for the CD for over 7 weeks. I finally bought the book the day it came out in paperback. And now I want everyone I know to read this book.

So after you read this go out and get the book and start reading. Just for today don’t think about getting rid of clutter. Or read a book of your choice—what book would you recommend for us to read?

clutter control for your home and life

Posted in Clutter, Health, Sage Advice | 3 Comments »